Cepphus grylle
Black Guillemot, Tobisgrissla, Tejst

The parent-bird had returned. A fish in its beak, and I moved closer and at the same time left to get the sun in a better position. There’s no way you can shoot dark creatures against the sun. Against the light detail is lost. Lost primarily in dark areas, and black plumage is about the darkest, black areas on the surface of the earth. Consequently you move forward, closer and to the left, closer to the bird and to the east to get the sun positioned right.

All gentle steady movements, camera and tripod held low. Frequent stops to let the Guillemot relax. Moving slowly. It’s an underwater dance. Only necessary movements. Those you have to do, performed in slow motion. Hands and head moving in a stupid looking, precise and calculated way. Eyes checking asa settings, f-stops and focuspoints, mowing closer and closer and further south, now also to get the background right.

 

  

What an adorable creature. If it’s all about something else, really. This is what it is. What a nice little guy. Black Guillemot (Alle alle) Its bright red feet and inner beak, and five hundred of them gathered on a piece of land the size of a soccer pitch. Or less. The islands of Hirsholmene, just of the coast of peninsula Jutland.
Five or six, small, flat and stony islands, that used to belong to the Ministry of Defence. Nothing there, except for the harbour, a handful off buildings including the lighthouse, and of course a set of piers that

happens to house the mayor part of the Danish population of Guillemots.
Those that God gave the gift of a clear vision, recognize eternity in the smallest of things.” Someone said.
I’m shooting 30 frames, waiting for that little something, that little piece of eternity, that only nature gives you. And only photography can reveal. Moments of divine truth.
Black Guillemot (Alle alle) on the northern pier on the island of Hirsholmene, Monday July 3. 2006.

Created 06-09-2009